TH! 

WILLIAM   R.   PERKINS 

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REPOET 


or 


BRIGADIER    GENERAL    ECHOLS, 


OF  THE 


BATTLE  OF  DROOP  MOUNTAIN, 


PUBLISHED  BY  ORDER  OF  CONGRESS. 


RICHMOND : 

R.  M.  SMITH,  PUBLIC  TRINTKR, 
1864. 


BATTLE  OF   DROOP   MOUNTAIN. 


REPORT  OF  GENERAL  ECHOLS. 


Headquarters  First  Brigade,  Army  Southwestern  Virginia,  ) 

Lewisburg,  Nov.  19,  1863.      ) 

Major  Charles  S.  Stringfellow,  A.  A.  G.,  &c: 

Major  :  I  havo  the  honor  to  make  the  following  report  of  the  battle 
of  Droop  Mountain,  fought  on  the  6th  instant,  in  Pocahontas  county, 
between  the  troops  under  ray  command  and  those  under  the  command 
of  Brigadier  General  Averill,  of  the  Federal  army.  The  report  would 
have  been  forward  sooner,  but  for  the  necessary  delay  in  receiving 
the  reports  of  some  of  the  commanding  officers  who  participated  in 
the  action. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th  instant,  I  received  a  despatch  from  Col- 
onel William  L.  Jackson,  who  then  had  his  headquarters  at  Mill  Point, 
in  Pocahontas  county,  that  the  enemy,  to  the  number  of  one  thousand, 
had  made  their  appearance,  on  the  evening  before,  at  Green  Bank,  in 
said  county  ;  and  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  instant,  another  dispatch 
was  received  from  him  conveying  the  information  that  on  the  evening 
of  the  4th,  two  thousand  of  the  enemy  had  advanced  to  a  point  within 
three  miles  of  Mill  Point,  and  that,  if  they  continued  to  advance,  he 
proposed  to  give  them  battle ;  and  suggesting  to  me  to  reinforce  him, 
if  I  could  do  so,  saying  that  if  I  could  not  hold  them  in  check  he 
would  fall  back  towards  me.  I  immediately  dispatched  him  that  I  would 
move  my  brigade  to  his  support.  Accordingly,  at  nine  o'clock,  A. 
M.,  on  the  5th  instant,  this  brigade,  consisting  of  the  twenty-second 
regiment  and  twenty-third  and  twenty-sixth  battalions  of  Virginia 
volunteers,  and  Chapman's  battery,  of  four  guns,  and  Jackson's  bat- 
tery, of  two  guns,  (the  latter,  temporarily  detached  from  Jenkins' 
cavalry  brigade,)  wa3  put  in  motion  from  this  place,  and  was  marched 
during  the  day  fourteen  miles,  in  the  direction  of  Colonel  Jackson. 
A  portion  of  Jenkins'  brigade — the  fourteenth  and  sixteenth  regi- 
ments of  Virginia  cavalry — was  also  near  this  place,  under  the  com- 
mand of  Colonel  M.  J.  Fcrgusson.     A  portion  of  the  fourteenth  reg- 


iment  was  directed  to  move  forward,  by  Colonel  Fergusson,  to  the 
support  of  Colonel  Jackson — the  sixteenth  regiment,  and  the  re- 
mainder of  the  fourteenth,  being  detained  to  picket  the  roads  and 
guard  the  approaches  from  the  Kanawha  Valley. 

During  the  day,  I  received  a  dispatch  from  Colonel  Jackson  telling 
me  that  he  had  been  engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  calling  on  mo  again 
to  reinforce  him.  During  the  night  of  the  6th  instant,  I  received 
dispatches  from  him,  informing  me  that  he  had  taken  a  very  strong 
position  on  Droop  Mountain,  and  that  he  intended  to  maintain  it,  and 
that  he  expected  the  fight  to  be  resumed  the  next  morning.  His  esti- 
mate of  the  enemy's  forces  was  then  thirty-five  hundred,  and  his 
opinion  was  that  all  of  Averill's  force  was  in  his  front.  I  accordingly 
moved  my  brigade  at  two  o'clock,  A.  M.,  with  the  view  of  reaching 
Colonel  Jackson  as  early  possible  in  the  morning.  The  brigade 
reached  the  point  designated  about  nine  o'clock,  A.  M.,  having 
marched  fourteen  miles,  with  the  exception  of  the  twenty-sixth 
battalion,  (Lieutenant  Colonel  Edgar,)  which  was  detached  with  one 
piece  of  artillery  some  twelve  miles  from  the  position,  and  sent  to 
hold  another  road  by  which  the  enemy  would  be  enabled  to  move 
from  their  position  upon  our  rear.  Upon  reaching  the  position 
taken  by  Colonel  Jackson,  I  at  once  assumed  command  of  the 
whole  force.  I  found  that  he  had  posted  the  most  of  his  own  com- 
mand, with  the  portion  of  tho  fourteenth  Virginia  cavalry,  which  had 
reported  to  him  for  duty,  very  advantageously  beyond  the  crest  and 
on  the  side  of  the  mountain.  Chapman's  and  Jackson's  batteries, 
under  the  command  of  Major  Wm,  M.  McLaughlin,  were  immediately 
moved  to  the  front  just  beyond  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  near  a 
point  where  Col.  Jackson  had  already  put  in  position  the  two  pieces  of 
his  battery  under  tho  command  of  Captain  Lurty.  Colonel  G.  S. 
Patton  was  ordered  to  take  command  of  that  portion  of  the  first  brig- 
ade then  present,  viz. :  Twenty-second  Virginia  regiment,  (Major 
It.  A.  Bailey  commanding,)  and  the  twenty-third  Virginia  battalion, 
(Major  Wm.  Blessing  commanding,)  and  to  put  in  position,  which  he 
did,  by  placing  the  twenty-second  regiment  in  rear  of  the  artillery  as 
a  support,  and  posting  the  twenty-third  battalion  on  the  right  of  tho 
turnpike  road  and  on  the  right  of  our  line  at  the  summit  of  the  moun- 
tain, two  companies  beiug  deployed  as  skirmishers. 

The  view  from  the  position  thus  assumed  is  a  very  extensive  one, 
looking  down  upon  the  plain  known  as  tho  "Little  Levels,"  and  upon 
the  village  of  Hillsborough,  noar  which  the  enemy  had  encamped 
during  the  previous  night.  The  lines  of  the  enemy  could  be  seen 
in  part  from  the  position  at  a  distance  of  two  and  two  and  a  half  miles. 
Our  artillery  very  soon  after  being  placed  in  position  opened  upon  the 
enemy  in  the  valley  beneath,  the  enemy's  artillery  for  sometime  reply- 
ing vigorously  and  rapidly.  Soon  after  the  opening  of  the  artillery, 
skirmishing  commenced  along  the  line,  and  the  twenty-second  regi- 
ment was  moved  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the  ground  occupied  by  Col. 
Jackson's  command,  and  six  companies  of  tho  twenty-third  battalion 
were  put  in  position  to  act  as  a  support  to  the  artillery,  the  other  two 
companies  of  that  battalion  being  deployed  upon  the  right  and  acting 


as  pickets  on  roads  in  the  rear,  it  being  soon  evident  that  the  princi- 
pal attack  of  the  energy  would  be  upon  our  centre  and  left. 

About  the  time  of  the  changes  in  the  disposition  of  the  troops  thus 
mentioned,  it  being  reported  to  me  that  the  enemy  were  making  a 
movement  upon  our  extreme  left  and  advancing  in  that  quarter  over 
the  side  of  a  mountain  near  by,  and  under  cover  of  thick  woods  and 
undergrowth,  Colonel  Jackson  was  ordered  to  send  a  force  there  to 
hold  them  in  check,  and,  if  possible,  drive  them  back,  and  he  accord- 
ingly ordered  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson,  of  the  nineteenth  Vir- 
ginia cavalry,  with  about  one  hundred  and  seventy- five  men  for  that 
purpose  The  enemy  at  this  point  had  his  forces  so  masked  and  con- 
cealed that  it  was  impossible  to  estimate  his  force,  especially  as  a  very 
large  force  was  seen  in  front.  The  fighting  on  the  left  soon  became 
very  severe,  and  I  was  notified  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson  that 
he  was  being  hard  pressed  and  must  be  reinforced.  Major  Blessing, 
with  the  six  companies  of  the  twenty-third  battalion,  was  accordingly 
ordered  to  report  to  and  reinforce  him,  which  was  promptly  done.  The 
enemy  at  this  time  began  to  advance  upon  the  centre  and  the  fighting 
became  general  along  the  whole  line,  our  artillery  being  served  with 
great  rapidity  and  precision,  and  succeeding  in  silencing  the  batteries 
of  the  enemy.  In  the  course  of  an  hour  after  the  twenty-third  bat- 
talion was  sent  to  the  left,  and  after  very  heavy  fighting  upon  that 
flank,  1  was  again  notified  by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson,  who  had 
most  gallantly  contended  with  the  numbers  opposed  to  him,  alterna- 
tively driving  them  back,  and  being  in  turn  borne  back,  that  he  was 
being  overpowered  by  the  superior  forces  opposed  to  him,  when  Colo- 
nel Patton  was  ordered  to  detach  three  companies  of  the  twenty- 
second  regiment  and  to  move  them  to  the  left  and  to  take  command  of 
them  with  the  other  troops  then  there.  This  was  done — the  three 
companies  thus  detached  being  placed  under  the  immediate  command 
of  that  gallant  young  officer,  Captain  John  R.  Thompson,  of  the 
twenty-second  regiment,  who,  upon  this  occasion,  as  upon  many  pre- 
vious ones,  greatly  distinguished  himself.  The  enemy  were  for  a 
time  held  in  check  and  driven  back  ;  but  after  a  long  and  hard  strug- 
gle it  became  evident  that  we  were  too  greatly  outnumbered,  and  I 
was  informed  by  Colonel  Patton  that  his  force  was  not  sufficient  for 
the  numbers  opposed  to  him,  and  I  saw  that  our  left  was  being  driven 
and  bent  back  to  the  rear.  During  this  time,  a  very  heavy  body  of 
the  enemy  was  thrown  upon  our  centre,  under  the  immediate  com- 
mand of  Colonel  Jackson,  and  the  batteries  of  the  enemy  were  again 
put  into  position  and  opened  upon  us,  and  that  portion  of  our 
line  began  to  waver  and  f<ill  back.  Deeming  it  useless  to  continue 
the  unequal  contest  longer,  at  about  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  gave 
orders  to  the  troops  to  fall  back  slowly,  and  then  for  the  artillery  to 
be  withdrawn  from  the  field,  where  it  had  remained  until  nearly  all 
of  the  supports  had  retired,  and  continued  to  hold  the  enemy  in  check 
by  its  rapid  and  well  directed  discharges  of  grape  and  canister,  for 
which,  too  high  praise  cannot  be  awarded  to  Major  McLaughlin  and 
Captains  Chapman,  Jackson,  and  Lurty,  and  the  officers  and  men 
under  their  command. 


The  retreat  having  to  be  conducted  over  a  narrow  and  straight 
road,  along  the  top  of  a  mountain,  for  a  distance  of  four  miles,  some 
confusion  was  produced  by  an  alarm  which  arose  among  the  horse- 
holders  of  the  dismounted  cavalry,  and  some  of  the  men  of  the 
command  became  detached  and  made  their  way  out  through  the  woods. 
The  enemy  pressed  for  some  few  miles  with  their  cavalry  and  mounted 
infantry  and  two  or  three  pieces  of  their  artillery,  but  were  held  in 
check  by  our  rear  guard  of  cavalry,  which  was  organized  and  con- 
trolled most  gallantly  and  efficiently  by  Colonel  M.  .1.  Fergusson, 
aide!  by  Colonel  Jackson,  to  both  of  which  officers  the  thanks  of  tho 
command  are  due  for  their  great  gallantry  and  efficiency,  as  exhibited 
throughout  the  whole  battle  and  retreat. 

Colonel  Patton,  by  my  orders,  went  to  the  front  and  did  everything 
that  could  be  done  in  steadying  and  rallying  and  encouraging  the 
men.  and  was,  as  usual,  conspicuous  on  the  field  and  in  the  thickest 
of  the  fight. 

The  force  under  my  command,  and  actually  engaged  in  tho 
fight,  numbered  about  seventeen  hundred  men.  The  force  of  the 
enemy  engaged  was  about  seven  thousand,  whom  we  held  in  check 
ind  fought  for  six  hours.  The  estimate  of  Colonel  Jackson  placing 
their  numbers  at  three  thousand  five  hundred  was  correct  at  the  time 
when  made;  but  they  were  reinforced  during  the  night  previous  to  the 
battle  without  his  knowledge,  and  these  reinforcements  could  not  be 
known,  owing  to  the  character  of  the  country,  until  the  fight  had 
progressed  for  some  time. 

It  was  neceesary  that  the  retreat  should  be  rapid,  as,  soon  after  tho 
termination  of  the  battle,  information  was  brought  to  me  that  Brig* 
adier  General  Duffie,  of  the  Federnl  army,  was,  at  two  o'clock,  P.  M., 
on  the  top  of  Little  Sewell  mountain,  eighteen  miles  west  of  Lewis- 
burg,  advancing  rapidly  upon  that  town  with  a  column  of 
twenty-five  hundred  men  and  five  pieces  of  artillery  to  intercept  me 
at  that  point.  At  four  o'clock,  P.  M.,  when  the  battle  ceased,  I  was 
twenty-eight  miles  from  Lewisburg.  General  Duffie  halted  and 
encamped  for  the  night  some  ten  or  twelve  miles  west  of  Lewisburg; 
but  I,  after  halting  my  infantry  and  artillery  and  trains  two  hours 
for  rest  and  refreshment,  passed  through  Lewisburg  and  over  Green- 
brier river  between  three  and  lour  o'clock,  A.  M.,  on  the  morning  of 
the  ?th  instant,  General  Duffie,  with  his  troops,  entering  the  town 
cautiously  at  eleven  o'clock,  and  General  Averill  at  four  o'clock,  P. 
M.,  on  the  same  day. 

My  artillery  and  trains  were  brought  safely  through,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  a  brass  howitzer,  belonging  to  Chapman's  battery,  which 
had  been  badly  injured  in  a  previous  engagement  and  the  carriage  of 
which  broke  completely  down  during  the  retreat,  so  that  it  had  to  be 
left,  thus  affording  the  enemy  tho  only  trophy  of  which  they  could 
boast. 

The  casualties  among  our  troops  in  killed,  wounded  and  miss- 
ing amount  to  two  hundred  and  seventy-five,  a  considerable  number 
ber  of  those  who  were  reported  as  missing  having  returned  to  duty. 
The  loss  of   the  enemy  was   much   greater,  as    is   attested   by  the 


number  of  their  dead  left  or  buried  near  the  field,  and  also  of  their 
wounded  who  were  left,  besides  the  large  number  of  dead  and 
wounded  who  were  known  to  have  been  conveyed  away.  Among  our 
killed  we  have  to  deplore  many  gallant  spirits,  most  conspicuous 
among  whom,  for  his  uniform  gallantry  and  many  soldierly  qualities, 
was  Major  R.  A.  Bailey,  of  the  twenty-second  regiment,  whose  loss 
will  be  long  and  deeply  felt.  No  soldier  ever  displayed  more  daunt- 
less courage  than  did  he  upon  this,  his  last,  battle-field.  It  would 
make  this  report  too  long  to  mention  particularly  the  names  of  all 
those  who  attracted  observation  and  extorted  admiration  by  their 
good  conduct.  I  must  refer  for  the  most  of  these  to  the  accompany- 
ing reports  of  commanding  officers.  I  cannot,  however,  refrain  from 
bearing  testimony  to  the  distinguished  gallantry  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  Thompson,  Major  William  Blessing,  Major  McLaughlin, 
Captains  Chapman,  Jackson  and  Lurty  of  the  artillery,  and  of 
Adjutants  Rand,  of  the  twenty-second  regiment,  and  Hardin,  of  the 
twenty-third  battalion. 

My  attention  was  also  particularly  drawn,  during  the  thickest  of 
the  fight,  to  the  exhibition  of  cool  courage  and  noble  daring  presented 
in  the  conduct  of  Lieutenant  C.  J.  Harvie,  of  Jenkins'  brigade,  and 
of  Captain  L.  R.  Exline,  of  Colonel  Jackson's  command.  The 
members  of  my  staff,  Captains  R.  H.  Catlett  and  W.  R.  Preston,  and 
Lieutenants  J.  W.  Branham,  Wood  Bouldin,  Jr.,  E.  C.  Gordon  and 
H.  C.  Caldwell,  deserve  especial  mention  for  their  activity,  energy 
and  courage  upon  the  field,  in  rallying  and  encouraging  the  troops, 
and  in  conveying  orders ;  and  I  desire,  in  the  most  emphatic 
manner,  to  express  my  obligations  to  Major  George  McKendall, 
brigade  quartermaster,  not  only  for  his  valuable  services  on  the  field, 
but  for  the  untiring  energy  and  ability  displayed  by  kim  in  his  de- 
partment. 

Lieutenant  Colonel  Eclgar,  of  the  twenty-eighth  battalion,  who,  as 
has  herein  before  been  mentioned,  was  detached  from  the  brigade  and 
ordered  upon  a  road  leading  to  the  rear  of  our  forces,  was,  by  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  cut  off  from  the  balance  of  the  command, 
but  succeeded  in  bringing  off  the  whole  of  his  battalion  and  rejoining 
the  brigado,  with  his  troops  in  fine  condition,  for  which  he  is  entitled 
to  the  highest  praise,  surmounting,  as  he  did,  many  difficulties,  which 
only  his  fine  judgment,  will  and  courage  could  enable  him  to  overcome. 

So  far  as  the  beneficial  results  of  the  expedition  to  the  enemy  can 
be  estimated  they  amount  to  nothing.  They  came  with  two  large 
forces,  amounting,  in  the  aggregate,  to  nearly  ten  thousand  men, 
with  the  expectation  of  capturing  the  command  of  Colonel  Jackson 
and  this  brigado  and  of  their  moving  on  upon  our  interior  lines  of 
railroad.  By  fighting,  however,  so  far  from  the  interior,  and  by 
being  so  checked  and  damaged  and  baffled  as  they  were,  they  failed 
in  like  one  object  and  abandoned  the  other.  I  transmit  herewith  the 
reports  of  the  various  commanding  officers,  and  also  a  diagram 
showing  the  position  of  the  troops  upon  the  field  of  battle. 
I  am,  Major,  very  respectfully,  &c, 

JOHN  ECHOLS,  Brigadier  General. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  JACKSON. 

Headquarters,  Union  Virginia,  > 
November  9,  1863.      J 
Captain  R.  II.  Catlett,  A.  A.  G. : 

Captun  :  On  the  third  instant,  at  six  o'clock,  P.  M.,  I  received  a 
despatch  from  Lieutenant  George  W.  Siples,  commanding  at  Dunmore, 
that  the  enemy  had  appeared  in  force  at  Green  Bank,  twenty  miles 
from  Huntersville.  This  information  I  dispatched  to  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral Echols,  and  to  Colonel  Arnett,  commanding  at  Marlin's  Bottom, 
and  to  Captain  J.  W.  Marshall,  commanding  at  Edray.  I  also  or- 
dered Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson,  then  on  an  expedition  to  Nicho- 
las county,  to  return.  Lieutenant  Siples  was  instructed  to  ascertain 
the  force  and  intentions  of  the  enemy,  and,  if  pressed,  to  fall  back 
through  Huntersville  to  Mill  Point,  by  the  Beaver  creek  road,  block- 
ading said  road  as  effectually  as  possible.  At  the  same  time,  I  took 
the  precaution  to  send  thirty  mounted  men  by  the  Beaver  creek  road 
to  Huntersville,  and  ordered  Colonel  Arnett  to  send  scouts  to  the  same 
place  from  his  camp.  I  received  no  further  dispatch  from  Lieutenant 
Siples,  who,  it  seems,  in  the  effort  to  obtain  information  of  the  en- 
emy, was  cut  off,  and  did  not  rejoin  me  until  after  our  arrival  at 
Union.  This  will,  in  some  measure,  explain  why  I  had  no  definite 
information  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy,  and  underestimated  his 
force.  On  the  next  day,  at  twelve  M.,  I  learned  from  my  scouts  at 
Huntersville,  that  the  enemy  were  at  that  place,  and  advancing  on  the 
Beaver  creek  route,  to  Mill  Point.  I  directed  Colonel  Arnett  to  draw 
in  Captain  Marshall  and  to  fall  back  to  Mill  Point,  cutting  down  and 
blockading  the  road  at  all  practicable  points.  •  By  this  time,  Lieuten- 
tenant  Colonel  Thompson  having  returned,  I  directed  him,  with  the 
mounted  men  of  his  detachment,  to  move  rapidly  up  the  Beaver  creek 
route,  to  blockade  and  hold  that  road  until  Colonel  Arnett  passed 
the  point  of  intersection  of  the  two  roads  lending  to  Mill  Point, 
which  is  one  mile  from  lhat  place,  and  then  to  fall  back  to  Mill  Point, 
where  I  proposed  to  make  a  stand.  This  was  successfully  accom- 
plished by  Colonel  Thompson.  About  dark,  Colonel  Arnett  passed 
the  point  aforesaid,  and  Colonel  Thompson  6lowly,  and  in  admirable 
order,  disputing  every  inch  of  the  ground,  fell  back  before  the  over- 
whelming force  of  the  enemy.  The  -enemy  went  into  camp  in  plain 
view,  and  made  no  demonstration  during  the  night,  except  by  rocket 
signals,  which  were  answered  from  a  point  near  Huntersville,  and  also 
on  the  Beverly  road,  beyond  Marlin's  Bottom  bridge,  although  after 
disposing  of  my  force  to  repel  assault,  with  a  view  to  ascertain  whe- 
ther they  had  artillery,  I  built  camp  fires  in  my  rear.  Here  I  again 
despatched  to  General  Echols  the  position  of  affairs. 

As  soon  as  it  became  light,  the  next  morning,  the  enemy  advanced 
skirmishers  and  sharpshooters,  and  I  directed  Captain  Warren  S. 
Lurty  to  open  his  artillery,  (two  twelve-pound  howitzers,)  and  the 
skirmishers  and  sharpshooters,  fell  back  over  the  hill,  where  the  main 


force  of  the  enemy  was  masked.  Here  it  was  evident  that  the  cutting 
down  of  the  road,  &c.  had  delayed  the  artillery  of  the  enemy.  The 
shells  from  Captain  Lurty's  pieces  held  the  enemy  in  check,  and  pro- 
duced some  confusion  in  his  camp.  It  becoming  evident,  from  the 
sound,  that  the  enemy  was  about  to  make  some  movement,  Captain 
L.  R.  Exline,  with  thirty  men,  made  a  successful  reconnoissance,  en- 
countering and  driving  in  the  sharpshooters,  and  returning  in  satety, 
after  discovering  that  artillery  was  coming  up.  Knowing  that  with 
long  range  guns,  the  enemy  would  have  decidedly  the  advantage,  I 
was  prepared  to  fall  back  as  soon  as  his  artillery  was  put  in  position. 
About  eleven  o'clock,  A.  M.,  it  was  so  placed,  but  previous  thereto, 
our  shells  were  thrown  with  some  effect.  Accordingly  my  command 
fell  back  in  good  order,  under  a  heavy  fire  of  five  pieces  of  artillerv, 
and  pursued  by  a  large  mounted  force  ;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thomp- 
son, with  cavalry,  bringing  up  the  rear.  Arriving  at  Droop  moun- 
tain, I  posted  my  artillery  and  infantry  on  that  very  strong  position. 
The  effort  of  the  enemy  in  pursuit,  seemed  to  be  to  cut  off  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel  Thompson,  but  in  this  he  was  foiled  at  the  foot  of  the 
mountain,  by  a  few  well  directed  shells  from  Lurty's  battery.  The 
enemy,  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.,  went  into  camp  between  Hillsborough 
and  Mill  Point,  as  could  be  plainly  seen  from  our  position.  About 
this  time,  I  learned  that  General  Echols  was  moving  to  my  support, 
and,  during  the  evening,  Colonel  Cochran,  with  the  fourteenth  Vir- 
ginia cavalry,  arrived. 

During  the  night,  there  was  no  apparent  movement  of  the  enemy; 
but  a  large  camp-fire  was  observed  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hunters- 
ville.  From  scouts  sent  to  reconnoitre,  and  from  my  own  observa- 
tion, I  estimated  the  force  encamped  before  me  at  thirty-five  hundred  ; 
but  I  am  now  convinced  that  during  the  night,  or  the  next  morning, 
a  large  reinforcement  arrived,  and  from  the  facts  now  before  me,  I  es- 
timate the  Federal  force  under  General  Averill  at  seven  thousand  five 
hundred. 

On  the  morning  of  the  6th  instant,  about  nine,  A.  M.,  General 
Echols  arrived,  and  soon  afterwards  the  twenty-second  Virginia  regi- 
ment, and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Derricks'  battalion,  with  Jackson's  and 
Chapman's  batteries  under  command  of  Colonel  George  S.  Patton. 
General  Echols  approved  the  disposition  of  my  force,  and  the  position 
eelected,  and  immediately  prepared  for  the  apprehended  attack.  I 
had  a  force  in  front  about  the  centre  of  the  position,  under  Colonel 
Arnett,  who  had  thrown  up  temporary  breastworks  during  the  night 
and  morning.     Tho  right,  with  artillery,  I  regarded  as  self-protecting. 

The  fourteenth  Virginia  cavalry  joined  my  force  on  the  left  of  the 
centre.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Thompson  was  on  our  extreme  left, 
pointing  to  the  rear,  with  instructions  to  hold  that,  and  to  prevent 
the  enemy  from  attaining  our  rear.  The  positions  assigned  to  the 
twenty-second  regiment  and  Derricks'  battalion  were  judiciously  se- 
lected, but  need  not  be  described  by  me.  I  had  on  the  field  about 
seven  hundred  and  fifty  men.  The  residue  of  mj  force  was  on  the 
Locust  creek  road,  or  cut  off  in  Pocahontas. 

The  enemy  moved  to  the  attack  about  eleven,  A.  M.,  planting  ar 


10 

tillery  on  our  right,  threatening  and  skirmishing  with  the  centre,  and 
\>y  ."-  vigorous  attack  on  our  extreme  left.  The  fight  was  veil  main- 
I         1  on  our  extreme  left,  but  it  becoming  evident  to  General  Echols 

<>ur  force  there  must  be  reinforced,  (indeed,  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Thompson  called  for  reinforcements,)  he  directed  two  companies  of  the 
fourteenth  Virginia  cavalry  and  Derricks'  battalion  there,  and  subse- 
quently several  companies  of  the  twenty-second  regiment,  and  even- 
tually Colonel  Tatton  proceeded  there.  The  fight  now  became 
general  on  the  whole  line.      Several  charges  were  made  on  the  centre — 

OBition  occupied  by  Colonel  Arnett  and  Colonel  Cochran;  but 
w  re  gallantly  repulsed,  and  the  centre  never  did  falter  or  give  way 
until  it  became  manifest  that  the  extreme  left  could  no  longer  be  held, 
ar.d  that  the  enemy  were  getting  in  our  rear,  then  the  force  in  the 
c:^tre  pressed  by  four  regiments  of  the  enemy,  fell  back  towards  the 
batteries.  At  this  point,  I  communicated  to  General  Echols  the  situ- 
ation of  the  centre,  and  suggested  to  Major  McLaughlin,  chief  of  ar- 
tillery, to  move  all  or  a  portion  of  his  artillery  to  the  rear.  He 
did  move  all  but  two  pieces,  one  from  Chapman's  and  the  other  from 
Jackson's  batteries.  Captains  Jackson  and  Chapman  remained  with 
these  two  pieces.  General  Echols,  at  this  stage,  arrived  at  the  po- 
sition held  by  me,  and  assisted  in  rallying  the  men.  It  is  unneces- 
sary for  me  to  report  what  then  occurred  during  his  presence.  Uuite 
a  number  were  rallied  at  this  point,  held  the  position  gallantly,  and 
the  two  pieces  aforesaid  rained  canister  and  grape  upon  the  enemy, 
checking  their  advance  on  the  centre  and  right.  Holding  this  posi- 
tion about  twenty  minutes,  I  received  an  order  from  General  Echols 
to  fall  back,  as  the  enemy  had  almost  reached  the  rear,  and  could  no 
longer  be  held. 

I  accordingly  fell  back  in  as  good  order  as  the  nature  of  the  case 
Would  admit,  under  severe  shelling  and  an  enfilading  fire  of  mus- 
ketry, making  a  momentary  stand  before  reaching  the  road,  to  enable 
the  two  pieces  aforementioned  to  get  out.  As  soon  as  I  perceived 
their  safety,  I  reached  the  road.  Near  this  point,  the  brave  Major 
Llailey,  of  the  twenty-second,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  others  fell. 
After  this,  I  assisted  Colonels  Cochrane  and  Fergusson  in  protecting 
the  retreat,  at  the  request  of  General  Echols,  and  passed  through 
Lew  isburg  about  daylight  the  next  morning.  The  sixteenth  Virginia 
cavalry  having  come  in  from  Meadow  Bluff,  remained  there  and  brought 
Wp  the  rear.  A  portion  of  my  command,  with  others,  were  cut  off, 
there  being  but  the  one  road  to  retreat  upon,  and  that  at  one  time 
somewhat  jammed  by  horsemen,  infantry  and  trains,  but  it  afforded  me 
pleasure  to  state  that  the  most  of  those  cut  off  are  safe,  and  are  re- 
turning to  their  commands.  I  fear  my  loss  is  about  one  hundred  and 
fifty  in  killed  and  wounded,  including  a  number  of  gallant  officers. 
You  will  appreciate  the  difficulty  in  estimating  the  loss  at  this  time. 
My  train  and  artillery  were  all  brought  out  safely,  except  the  wagon 
loaded  with  corn,  which  broke  down.     The  horses  are  safe. 

My  command,  and  the  officers  and  men  of  others,  so  far  as  they 
came  under  my  immediate  notice,  made  a  splendid  fight  against  over- 
whelming odds,  as  long  as  the  position  was  tenable.     I  have  pratici- 


11  ' 

ft 

pated  in  a  number  of  distinguished  battles,  and  have  not  witnessed 
more  gallant  conduct  anywhere.  I  cannot  omit  calling  attention,  es- 
pecially, to  the  brave  bearing  of  Captains  L.  R.  Exline,  (who  lost  an 
arm  at  Sharpsburg,)  George  Downs,  J.  W.  Ball,  D.  M.  Camp,  and  Lewis 
Martin,  (the  latter  twice  wounded,)  and  Lieutenants  S.  W.  Rice,  C. 
Minter,  John  Lewis  and  J.  Morgan,  (the  latter  killed.) 

The  officers  and  men  of  Captain  J.  W.  Ball's  nineteenth  Virginia 
cavalry  never  were  in  disorder  during  the  fight  or  retreat.  There  are 
others  who  deserve  notice  for  gallant  conduct,  but  the  limits  of  this 
report  preclude  their  mention. 

I  witnessed  great  gallantry  on  the  part  of  officers  and  men  of  the 
fourteenth  Virginia  cavalry,  and  the  twenty- second  Virginia  regi- 
ment, but  these  will  doubtless  be  appropriately  mentioned  by  the  pro- 
per officers. 

The  officers  and  men  of  Captain  Lurty's  battery  exhibited  a  high 
order  of  courage  and  skill,  and  both  at  Mill  Point,  and  at  Droop 
mountain  gave  indications  of  what  that  new  company  will  yet  be- 
come. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  much  greater  than  ours.  I  should  say, 
from  my  own  observation,  double  the  number  in  killed  and  wounded. 
He  took  but  few  prisoners  in  my  opinion. 

The  brilliant  fight  at  Droop  mountain,  and  the  subsequent  move- 
ments of  our  force,  will,  I  am  satisfied,  compel  the  enemy  to  abandon 
his  designs,  whatever  they  are,  or  were,  notwithstandingfliis  force 
numbering  near  ten  thousand,  including  the  force  from  the  Kanawha 
valley,  that  was  to  cut  off  our  retreat. 

Accompanying  this,  are  the  reports  of  Colonel  William  W.  Arnett 
and  Lieutenant  Colonel  William  P.  Thompson,  to  which  I  call  special 
attention. 

Very  respectfully,  your  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  L.  JACKSON, 
Colonel  commanding  brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  PATTON. 

Headquarters  Twenty-Second  Virginia  Regiment,  > 
Camp  Bailey,  Nov.  19,  1863.      \ 

Captain  R.  II.  Catlett, 

Assistant  Adjutant  General  : 

Captain  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
operations  of  the  troops  under  my  command  in  the  action  of  Droop 
Mountain,  on  the  6th  instant. 

I  was  ordered  by  the  Brigadier  General  commanding  to  assume  com- 
mand of  his  brigade,  consisting  only  of  the  twenty-second  Virginia 
regiment  and  twenty-third  Virginia  battalion — the  twenty-sixth  Vir- 
ginia battalion,  under  Lieutenant  Colonel  Edgar,  having  been  de- 
tached to  occupy  a  position  on  another  road.  Upon  tho  troop9 
reaching  the  western  extremity  of  the  mountain,  I  ordered  Major 
Blessing,  commanding  the  twenty-third  Virginia  battalion,  to  move 
his  command  to  the  right  of  the  turnpike  road,  at  tho  summit  of  the 
mountain,  and  to  deploy  two  companies  as  skirmishers  in  his  front. 
The  twenty-second  Virginia  regiment,  commanded  by  Major  It.  A. 
Bailey,  was  ordered  to  a  position  in  the  rear  of  the  artillery,  to  act  as 
support.  It  soon  became  evident  that  the  enemy's  efforts  would  be 
directed  wholly  to  our  centre  and  left.  I  was  now  requested  by  Col- 
onel W.  L.  Jackson  to  move  a  regiment  to  his  right  and  rear  as  a 
reserve  to  his  command,  and  to  protect  the  right  of  the  hill  on  which 
the  artillery  was  posted.  I  ordered  the  twenty-second  Virginia  regi- 
ment forward,  and  supplied  its  place  near  the  artillery  with  the 
-twenty-third  Virginia  battalion,  now  reduced  to  six  companies,  two 
being  detached  as  pickets  on  roads  in  our  rear. 

While  these  dispositions  were  being  made,  a  brisk  artillery  duel 
was  kept  up,  and  the  skirmishing  along  the  line  became  frequent  and 
heavy.  The  increased  rapidity  of  the  firing  on  the  left  now  gave 
notice  that  the  enemy  were  there  in  force  ;  and  I  was  ordered  by  General 
Echols  to  send  the  twenty-third  Virginia  battalion  to  reinforce  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  Thompson,  of  the  nineteenth  Virginia  cavalry,  in  com- 
mand on  that  flank.  This  was  done,  and  the  action  became  very 
heavy  in  that  direction.  It  was  evident  that  our  men  were  largely 
outnumbered,  and  were  being  driven  back.  At  this  juncture,  I  was 
ordered  to  assume  command  on  that  flank,  and  three  companies  of  the 
twenty-second  Virginia  regiment  under  command  of  Captain  John  R. 
Thompson,  sent  with  me.  On  reaching  the  scene  of  action,  it  was 
evident  that  our  little  force  was  largely  outnumbered,  and  the  enemy 
were  entirely  beyond  both  flanks,  our  forces  were  retiring  from  the 
field,  in  spite  of  the  earnest  and  gallant  efforts  of  Lieutenant  Colonel 
Thompson  and  other  officers  to  rally  them.  Captain  Thompson,  with 
his  three  companies,  gallantly  rushed  to  the  front,  formed  under  a 
galling  fire,  and  actually  drove  back  the  enemy  for  some  little  dis- 
tance.    I  now  endeavored  to  rally  men  to  his  support,  seconded  most 


13 

gallantly  by  Colonel  Thompson  ;  and  we  succeeded  in  collecting  a 
considerable  number  together,  when  I  received  a  communication  from 
General  Echols  informing  me  that  the  whole  right  had  given  away, 
and  ordering  me  to  fall  back  to  the  main  road,  and  join  him.  I  sent 
orders  to  the  commanders  to  fall  back  slowly ;  and  with  the  men  we 
had  collected,  marched  to  the  road.  I  was  then  ordered  by  General 
Echols  to  proceed  to  the  front,  and  endeavor  to  rally  the  men,  which 
I  eould  not  succeed  in  doing,  as  the  whole  road  was  blockaded  with 
artillery  caissons,  wagons  and  horses,  which  forced  many  of  the  men 
to  take  to  the  woods,  to  escape  capture,  and  which  prevented  anything 
like  reorganization. 

At  Frankfort,  nineteen  miles  from  the  field,  I  succeeded  in  collect- 
ing a  nucleus  of  the  command,  and  kept  it  together.  I  am  ignorant 
of  what  passed  on  the  right  after  I  was  sent  away ;  but  that  part  of 
the  field  was  under  the  personal  supervision  of  General  Echols,  and  I 
am  without  an  official  report,  in  consequence  of  the  death  of  Major 
Bailey.  I  cannot  conclude  without  expressing  my  high  appreciation 
of  the  valor  and  desperate  courage  of  the  troops  under  my  command. 
They  fought  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances,  and  fought 
well ;  and  they  were  still  fighting  when  they  were  ordered  to  retire. 

The  twenty- second  Virginia  regiment  went  into  action  about  five 
hundred  strong,  losing  one  hundred  and  thirteen  in  killed  and 
wounded  and  missing.  The  twenty-third  Virginia  battalion  was  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  strong,  and  lost  sixty-one  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing. 

I  have  to  deplore  the  loss  of  the  gallant  Major  R.  A.  Bailey,  of 
the  twenty-second  Virginia  regiment.  When  struck,  he  was  bearing 
the  colors  of  his  regiment,  and  rallying  his  men  by  voice  and  example. 
In  him  the  cause  has  lost  a  brave  and  devoted  officer,  whose  cool 
courage  and  excellent  judgment  had  been  tested  on  many  fields. 

Lieutenant  William  S.  McClanahan,  of  company  A,  of  the  same 
regiment,  was  mortally  wounded,  and  has  since  died.  He  was  a  gal- 
lant soldier. 

Major  William  Blessing,  of  the  twenty- third  Virginia  battalion,  is 
entitled  to  credit  for  his  skilful  handling  of  his  men,  and  for  his 
courage.  He  speaks  most  favorably  of  Adjutant  James  A.  Harden. 
Captains  R.  S.  Laidley  and  George  L.  Chilton,  of  the  twenty-seeond 
Virginia  regiment,  were  seriously  wounded  while  gallantly  leading 
and  encouraging  their  men,  and  are  recommended  for  favorable  notice. 

I  cannot  mention  particularly  the  officers  on  the  right,  as  I  was 
not  a  witness  of  the  fight  there.  I  feel  it  my  duty  to  call  especial 
attention  to  Captain  John  R.  Thompson,  company  A,  twenty-second 
Virginia  regiment,  who  received  his  third  wound  on  this  occasion, 
while  bravely  leading  his  men.  This  gallant  young  officer  is  entitled 
to  great  credit ;  and  he  is  earnestly  recommended  to  the  favorable 
notice  of  the  Brigadier  General  commanding. 

I  owe  thanks  to  Captain  William  R.  Preston,  A.  A.  G.,  and  Lieu- 
tenant Myers  Rand,  adjutant  of  the  twenty- second  Virginia  regiment, 
acting  as  aids.  They  carried  my  orders  intelligently,  and  were  much 
exposed.     Their  gallantry  was  conspicuous. 


14 

Sergeant   Major   Munroe  Quanier   is   also  entitled  to   credit   for 
courage  and  efficiency. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  very  respectfully, 

Your  obedient  servant. 

GEO.  S.  PATTON, 
Colonel  conxmanding  Brigade. 


REPORT  OF  COLONEL  FERGUSSON. 

Headquarters  Jenkins'  Cavalry  Brigade, 
November  16,  1863. 

Major  C.  S.  Stringfellow,  A.  A.  G.  : 

Major  :  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following  report  of  the 
action  of  a  portion  of  this  command  in  the  action  at  Droop  Moun- 
tain, on  the  16th  instant. 

Having  received  information  from  Brigadier  General  Echols,  of  the 
advance  of  the  enemy  under  General  Averill  upon  Mill  Point,  the 
position  occupied  by  Colonel  Jackson's  command,  I  ordered  the  four- 
teenth Virginia  cavalry  (Colonel  Cochran's  command)  to  the  support 
of  Colonel  Jackson,  at  Mill  Point,  with  orders  to  co-operate  with 
Colonel  Jackson  in  contesting  the  advance  of  the  enemy. 

Upon  consultation  with  General  Echols,  it  was  deemed  unsafe  *o 
withdraw  the  whole  force  from  the  front  of  Lewisburg,  guarding  the 
approaches  from  Kanawha  and  Nicholas  counties.  Accordingly  the 
sixteenth  regiment  Virginia  cavalry,  Major  Norman  commanding, 
was  ordered  to  take  position  near  Bunger's  mill,  five  miles  west  of 
Lewisburg,  while  a  squadron  from  the  fourteenth  regiment  Virginia 
cavalry,  (  Captain  Strain  commanding, )  remained  upon  picket  and 
outpost  duty,  covering  the  roads  from  Nicholas  county.  Although 
no  advance  wa3  at  that  time  reported  from  Kanawha,  apprehensions 
were  felt,  that  such  an  advance  would  be  made  in  co-operation  with 
General  Averill,  and  the  presence  of  an  increased  force  in  that  direc- 
tion, strengthened  these  apprehensions. 

Having  received  no  orders  from  Major  General  Jones,  indicating 
the  disposition  I  was  to  make  of  this  command,  I  reported  to  Brigadier 
General  Echols,  and  was  under  his  orders,  and  did  then,  and  do  nov/, 
cheerfully  concur  with  General  Echols  in  the  disposition  made  of  the 
whole  command,  On  the  morning  of  the  5th  instant,  I  joined  Gene- 
ral Echols,  who  was  then  on  the  march,  and  arrived  at  the  camp  of 
Colonel  Jackson,  at  the  eastern  base  of  Droop  Mountain,  at  six 
o'clock,  A.  M.,  of  the  6th  instant.  One  squadron  from  the  fourteenth 
regiment,  was  ordered  to  take  position  upon  what  is  known  as  the 
"  old  road"  or  "  Locust  Creek  road,"  the  residue  of  the  fourteenth 
regiment  (  being  the  efficient  men  of  six  companies)  were  dismounted 
and  participated  in  the  engagement  which  followed.  Four  companies 
were  upon  the  extreme  left  of  the  line  of  battle,  under  the  immediate 
command  of  Lieutenant  Colonel  Gibson,  and  two  companies  in  the 
centre  under  command  of  Captains  Smith  and  McClung. 

The  enemy's  force  was  large  and  overpowering.  Our  force  ^f.w 
compelled  to  fall  back.  Some  confusion  prevailed  at  first,  owing  in  a 
great  degree  to  the  shape  of  the  ground  and  the  character  of  the 
country,  and  also  to  an  alarm  which  had  spread  among  the  horse 
holders ;  but  after  the  command  had  remounted,  order  was  restored 
and  an  efficient  rear  guard  formed.     The  enemy  pressed  vigorously, 


16 

and  skirmishing  continued  for  ten  miles.  Upon  arriving  at  Frankfort, 
and  halting  the  command  for  rest  and  food,  inf  )rmation  was  received 
from  Major  Norman,  of  the  advance  of  the  enemy  in  force,  from 
Kanawha,  and  at  that  time,  at  Meadow  Bluff,  fifteen  miles  west  of 
Lewisburg.  The  march  was  again  resumed,  the  sixteenth  regiment 
remaining  in  position  until  the  column  had  passed  Lewisburg,  and 
then  formed  the  rear  guard,  leaving  Lewisburg  as  the  enemy,  in  large 
force,  entered  it  from  Kanawha. 

Our  loss  in  that  portion  of  the  fourteenth  regiment  engaged,  was 
three  killed,  eight  wounded  and  fourteen  missing. 

Among  the  wounded  are  Captains  Smith  and  McClung  and  Lieuten- 
ant G.  T.  Koger. 

Major  B.  F.  Eakle,  Captain  E.  E.  Bouldin  and  Lieutenant  J.  A. 
Fi-amenter,  of  the  fourteenth  regiment,  with  the  privates  who  com- 
posed the  rear  guard,  behaved  with  the  most  commendable  coolness 
and  courage. 

The  distinguished  gallantry  of  Lieutenant  C.  T.  Ilarvie,  of  the  P. 
A.  C.  S.,  is  worthy  of  the  highest  commendation. 

I  am  Major,  your  most  obedient  servant, 

M.  J.  FERGUSSON, 
Commanding  brigade. 


